'You Lie!' Jars Washington but Resonates Back Home

By

Corey Dade and

Naftali Bendavid

Updated Sept. 11, 2009 11:59 p.m. ET

LEXINGTON, S.C. -- While members of both parties lashed Republican Rep. Joe Wilson for shouting "You lie!" during President Barack Obama's Wednesday night address to Congress, many friends and allies of the South Carolina congressman back home rallied behind him.

"I'm proud of him. I'm tired of politicians sitting back and keeping their mouth shut and not calling it when it's wrong," said Jake Knotts, a 64-year-old Republican state senator whose district overlaps with Mr. Wilson's. "Washington has...